[Ord. No. 2005-5 §1, 2-7-2005]
A.
All
signs shall be designed, constructed and maintained in accordance
with the following standards:
1.
General requirements.
a.
All signs shall comply with applicable provisions of the current
City adopted building and electrical codes.
b.
Except for flags, temporary signs and window signs conforming in
all respects with the requirements of this Chapter, all signs shall
be constructed of permanent materials and shall be permanently attached
to the building by direct attachment to a rigid wall, frame or structure
or to the ground, as the case may be, in a manner acceptable to the
Director of Public Works.
c.
All signs shall be maintained in good structural condition, in compliance
with all building and electrical codes and in conformance with this
code, at all times.
d.
Building marker or property identification signs such as cornerstones
are permitted and do not count against the total area of signage provided
such signs are less than four (4) square feet in area; have the wording
etched in stone or cast in metal or other permanent material; and
are permanently installed in the buildings.
e.
Logos that will fit in a square having dimensions of eighteen (18)
inches or less are not deemed to be a commercial message and can be
placed on any sign other than window signs without being included
in the sign area computations. Logos that will not fit in a square
measuring eighteen (18) inches on each side are considered a commercial
message and will count in all sign area computation.
2.
Design loads. The following provisions shall apply
to design loads:
a.
Wind. The effect of special local wind pressures
shall be thoroughly considered in the design; but the wind load shall
not be assumed less than thirty (30) pounds per square foot (psf)
of net exposed area.
b.
Earthquake. Signs adequately designed to withstanding
wind pressures shall generally be considered capable of withstanding
earthquake shocks and related forces as provided in ICBO Building
Codes as applicable.
3.
Construction. All signs, including their supporting
structure, foundation and methods of attachment, shall be designed
and constructed in conformity to the provisions for materials, loads
and stresses of IBCO Basic Building Code and the requirements of this
Chapter.
a.
All permanent signs, sign structures and non-structural trim shall
be constructed of approved combustible or non-combustible materials.
b.
Signs along all streets and boundaries shall not interfere with line
of sight within twenty (20) feet of the point of intersection of pavement
of:
(1)
A vehicular accessway or driveway and a street.
(2)
A vehicular accessway or driveway and a sidewalk.
(3)
Two (2) or more vehicular accessways or driveways.
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No sign which obstructs sight lines at elevations between two
(2) feet and eight (8) feet above roadways shall be located on any
corner lot within the triangular area formed by the intersection of
the roadway centerlines, connecting them at points seventy (70) feet
from their point of intersection for roads of collector category or
less and one hundred twenty (120) feet for arterials.
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c.
Obstruction of egress, openings, ventilation. A
sign shall not be erected, constructed or maintained so as to obstruct
any fire escape, window, door or other opening or so as to prevent
free passage from one part of the roof to any other part thereof.
A sign shall not be attached in any form, shape or manner to a fire
escape or shall not be so placed as to interfere with an opening which
is required for legal ventilation.
d.
Letters, figures, characters or representations in cutout or irregular
form which are maintained in conjunction with, attached to or superimposed
upon any sign shall be safely and securely built or attached to the
sign structure.
e.
Illuminated signs. Illuminated signs produced in
quantity (other than signs custom-built for specific locations) shall
be constructed in accordance with the "Standards for Electric Signs
(U>L>48) of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc." and bear the label of
the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
f.
Electrical signs. All electrical signs, either temporary
or permanent, shall be connected to permanent electrical service installed
according to the requirements of the National Electrical Code, 1990
Edition. All wiring for newly constructed detached signs shall be
underground, unless this is determined to be prohibited by the Building
Inspector.
4.
Wall sign regulations.
a.
Single occupant building on a single zoned lot:
(1)
One (1) wall sign per face of building facing a street or side
street contiguous with the subject property or which faces a driveway
or parking lot located between the street and the building.
(3)
Maximum wall sign area is eighty (80) square feet.
(4)
Not more than two (2) incidental signs, limited to a maximum
of four (4) square feet for each sign, is allowed per building face.
b.
Single-story building with multiple tenants on a single zoned lot:
(1)
The total of all wall signage on a building may not exceed thirty
percent (30%) of the wall area facing the street.
(2)
One (1) building identity sign having an area of eighty (80)
square feet or less for each commercial property.
(3)
Each tenant having a grade level public entry from the street
or side street contiguous with the subject property, or which faces
a driveway or parking lot located between the street and the building,
is entitled to one (1) wall sign.
(4)
Wall sign area as computed by Section 407.160 "Computations" is restricted to one-fourth (¼) square feet of sign face per lineal foot of tenant frontage on a street, provided that no sign shall be required to be smaller than twenty (20) square feet.
(5)
Maximum sign area per tenant is restricted to eighty (80) square
feet.
(6)
Not more than two (2) incidental signs, limited to a maximum
of four (4) square feet for each face of each sign, are allowed per
building face.
c.
Multi-floor building with multiple tenants on a single zoned lot:
(1)
The total of all wall signage on a building may not exceed thirty
percent (30%) of the wall area facing the street.
(2)
One (1) building identity sign having an area of eighty (80)
square feet or less for each commercial property.
(3)
Each grade level tenant having a public entry from the street
or from a side street contiguous with the subject property or which
faces a driveway or parking lot located between the street and the
building is entitled to one (1) wall sign.
(5)
Maximum sign area per tenant is restricted to eighty (80) square
feet.
(6)
Not more than two (2) incidental signs, limited to a maximum
of four (4) square feet for each face of each sign, are allowed per
commercial property.
d.
Single-story building with single tenant on a single zoned lot exceeding
the minimum lot square footage required for the zoning district:
(1)
The total of all wall signage on a building may not exceed thirty
percent (30%) of the wall area facing the street.
(2)
One (1) building identity sign having an area of eighty (80)
square feet.
5.
Ground sign regulations.
a.
General requirements.
(1)
Each property accommodating a commercial entity is entitled
to one (1) ground sign per street frontage. For purposes of this Section,
a "commercial entity" is a single building housing
one (1) or more businesses.
(2)
Not more than one (1) face of the sign may be visible by the
public from any point (except from points on or around the prolongation
of the axis of a "V" shaped sign) on the street.
(3)
The ground sign must display the street number in addition to
the sign language. The street number does not count against the area
limit of the sign, but the area allocated to the street number may
not be larger than four (4) square feet.
(5)
Incidental signage intended to direct traffic flow or give other
needed information is permitted provided there is no commercial message
on the sign. A logo that will fit within a square measuring eighteen
(18) inches on each side is allowed on the sign and will not be included
in the sign area computations for the incidental sign. Incidental
signs are not considered ground signs and do not count against the
ground sign area restrictions.
(6)
In the case of multiple tenant property, directory type signage
in which the occupants of the retail space are listed are not permitted.
b.
Placement and size.
(1)
No part of the sign may be located within five (5) feet of the
public right-of-way or be positioned in any manner that will interfere
with the line of sight of pedestrians or vehicles attempting to enter
or exit from the property.
(2)
Sign area is restricted to one-fourth (¼) square feet
per lineal foot of street frontage, but will not be required to be
smaller than twenty (20) square feet nor may any sign be larger than
eighty (80) square feet.
(3)
Maximum height of sign is twenty (20) feet above grade level.
6.
Window signage.
a.
Window signage is permitted in an amount less than or equal to twenty-five
percent (25%) of the window area of any business engaged in retail
sales who is located on the grade level of a building.
b.
The area for window signage is in addition to any other permitted
signage.
c.
Any logo used in window signage is considered a commercial message
and is to be included in the sign area computations.
7.
Projecting signs.
a.
Projecting signs are permitted only in those cases where a business
is entitled to a ground sign but is prevented from installing one
due to physical conditions. A permit application for a projecting
sign that is rejected by the Director may be appealed to the Board
of Adjustment.
b.
Sign regulations.
(1)
Maximum size is twenty-four (24) square feet per sign face and
is not dependent upon building frontage or lot frontage.
(2)
No more than two (2) faces per sign. Faces must be within eighteen
(18) inches of each other.
(3)
In all cases, at least ten (10) feet of clearance for pedestrian
or vehicular traffic must be provided.
(4)
No part of the sign may be closer than five (5) feet to the
right-of-way.
8.
Canopies and canopy signs.
a.
For businesses directly fronting on a public pedestrian sidewalk,
canopies may be installed for purposes of shielding pedestrians from
the weather or to afford protection for merchandise in store windows
that may be harmed by direct sunlight.
b.
Canopies may bear lettering denoting the street address and business
name by letters up to a maximum of twelve (12) inches in height and
the width of the surfaces of the canopy to a maximum width of twelve
(12) feet.
9.
Temporary outdoor attractions. Attraction displays
used in connection with a temporary outdoor attraction announcing
a grand opening, a special event or the sale of merchandise shall
be permitted and maintained subject to the following regulations:
a.
A temporary outdoor attraction permit shall be obtained from the
Department of Public Works prior to the erection of any attraction
display. Applications for such permits shall provide a detailed site
plan showing the location of the proposed attraction displays, their
shape and size.
b.
A maximum of five (5) attraction displays may be permitted on one
(1) zoned lot at any given time.
c.
Temporary outdoor attraction permits shall be limited to a maximum
of forty-five (45) days during any six (6) month period. The time
limitations set forth herein may be extended at the discretion of
the Board of Aldermen.
d.
Placement of displays shall not interfere with the safety of patrons,
pedestrians or motorists.
e.
Cold air or helium inflatables shall be roof or ground mounted, designed
and tethered properly to resist movement and no higher than thirty
(30) feet above grade.
f.
Banners in excess of fifteen (15) square feet shall be wall mounted.
[Ord. No. 2005-5 §1, 2-7-2005]
A.
The
following principles shall control the computation of sign area and
sign height.
1.
Computation of area of individual signs. The area
of a sign face (which is also the sign area of a wall sign or other
sign with only one (1) face) shall be computed by means of the smallest
square, circle, rectangle, triangle or combination thereof that will
encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem
or other display, together with any material or color forming an integral
part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the
sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, but
not including any supporting framework, bracing or decorative fence
or wall when such fence or wall otherwise meets Zoning Ordinance regulations
and is clearly incidental to the display itself.
Square foot area is computed by multiplying the length of the
sign by the height, both at their greatest measurement comprising
each word or symbol. Grid calculation of exact square foot area is
acceptable with engineer's sealed calculations and drawing.
Logos that will fit in a square having dimensions of eighteen
(18) inches or less are not deemed to be a commercial message and
can be placed on any sign without counting against the sign area restriction.
Logos larger than the above are considered a commercial message in
all circumstances and will count in all sign area computations.
2.
Computation of area of multi-faced signs. The sign
area for a sign with more than one (1) face shall be computed by adding
together the area of all sign faces visible from any one (1) point.
When two (2) identical sign faces are placed back to back, so that
both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time and when
such sign faces are part of the same sign structure and are not more
than eighteen (18) inches apart, the sign area shall be computed by
the measurement of one (1) of the faces.
Logos that will fit in a square having dimensions of eighteen
(18) inches or less are not deemed to be a commercial message and
can be placed on any sign without counting against the sign area restriction.
Logos larger than the above are considered a commercial message in
all circumstances and will count in all sign area computations.
3.
Computation of height. The height of a sign shall
be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at normal grade
to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. Normal grade
shall be construed to be the lower of (1) existing grade prior to
construction, or (2) the newly established grade after construction,
exclusive of any filling, berming, mounding or excavating solely for
the purpose of locating the sign. In cases in which the normal grade
cannot reasonably be determined, sign height shall be computed on
the assumption that the elevation of the normal grade at the base
of the sign is equal to the elevation of the nearest point of the
crown of a public street or the grade of the land at the principal
entrance to the principal structure on the zoned lot, whichever is
lower.
[Ord. No. 2005-5 §1, 2-7-2005]
A.
Any
of the following shall be a violation of this Chapter and shall be
subject to the enforcement remedies and penalties provided by this
Chapter, the Zoning Ordinance and State law:
1.
To install, create, erect or maintain any sign in a way that is inconsistent
with any plan or permit governing such sign or the zoned lot on which
sign is located.
2.
Signs along all streets and boundaries shall not interfere with line
of sight within twenty (20) feet of the point of intersection of pavement
of:
a.
A vehicular accessway or driveway and a street.
b.
A vehicular accessway or driveway and a sidewalk.
c.
Two (2) or more vehicular accessways or driveways.
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No sign which obstructs sight lines at elevations between two
(2) feet and eight (8) feet above roadways shall be located on any
corner lot within the triangular area formed by the intersection of
the roadway centerlines, connecting them at points seventy (70) feet
from their point of intersection for roads of collector category or
less and one hundred twenty (120) feet for arterials.
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3.
Obstruction of egress, openings, ventilation. A
sign shall not be erected, constructed or maintained so as to obstruct
any fire escape, window, door or other opening or so as to prevent
free passage from one part of the roof to any other part thereof.
A sign shall not be attached in any form, shape or manner to a fire
escape or shall not be so placed as to interfere with an opening which
is required for legal ventilation.
4.
Letters, figures, characters or representations in cutout or irregular
form which are maintained in conjunction with, attached to or superimposed
upon any sign shall be safely and securely built or attached to the
sign structure.
5.
Illuminated signs. Illuminated signs produced in
quantity (other than signs custom-built for specific locations) shall
be constructed in accordance with the "Standards for Electric Signs
(U.L.48) of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc." and bear the label of
the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
6.
Electrical signs. All electrical signs, either temporary
or permanent, shall be connected to permanent electrical service installed
according to the requirements of the National Electrical Code, 1990
Edition. All wiring for newly constructed detached signs shall be
underground, unless this is determined to be prohibited by the Building
Inspector.
[Ord. No. 2005-5 §1, 2-7-2005]
A.
As
soon as a sign has been erected, the permittee shall notify the Building
Inspector who shall inspect such sign and approve the same if it is
in compliance with the provisions of this Chapter. Footing inspections
may be required by the Building Inspector for all signs having footings.
B.
Building
Inspector may from time to time, as he deems necessary, inspect all
signs or other structures regulated by this Chapter for the purpose
of ascertaining whether they are secure or whether they are in need
of removal or repair. If the sign does not comply with the provisions
of this Chapter, the Building Inspector shall notify the applicant
in writing of such non-compliance and give the applicant thirty (30)
days, or less if the Building Inspector determines a hazardous situation
exists, to comply. All signs may be re-inspected at the discretion
of the Building Inspector.
[Ord. No. 2005-5 §1, 2-7-2005]
Every sign or other advertising structure, together with all
its supports or braces shall be kept in good repair. The sign location
shall be free of rubbish and weeds. All structural members and all
copy areas are to be kept painted and clean so as to prevent deterioration,
oxidations, rust, paint fading, paint peeling or other unsightly conditions.
After thirty (30) days' notice, in writing, the Building Inspector
may order the removal of any sign that is not maintained in accordance
with the provisions of this Section.
[Ord. No. 2005-5 §1, 2-7-2005]
Any sign, now or hereafter existing which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted or a product sold, shall be removed by the owner, agent or lessee having the beneficial use of the building, structure or land upon which such sign may be found. If the owner, agent or lessee fails to remove the sign, the Building Inspector shall remove it in accordance with Section 407.210 "Removal". These removal provisions shall not apply where a succeeding owner, agent or lessee conducts the same type of business or advertises a current product and agrees to maintain the signs as provided in this Article, makes application for permit and pays the fee as provided for in Article II of this Chapter.
[Ord. No. 2005-5 §1, 2-7-2005]
The Building Inspector shall order the removal of any sign erected
in violation of this Chapter or any existing sign which has been abandoned
or where lack of maintenance has created a hazard to the public safety.
Thirty (30) days' notice, in writing, shall be given to the owner
of such sign, or of the building, structure or premises on which sign
is located, to remove the sign or to bring it into compliance with
this Article. Upon failure to remove the sign or comply with this
notice, the Building Inspector shall cause the removal of the sign.
Any costs of removal incurred by the Building Inspector shall be assessed
to the owner of the property on which sign is located and may be collected
in the manner of ordinary debt or in the manner of taxes and such
charge shall be a lien on the property. The Building Inspector shall
refuse to pay costs so assessed. The Building Inspector may cause
any sign which is an immediate peril to persons or property to be
removed summarily without notice.
